slightly slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly slowly" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe a manner of doing something that is both a little bit and at a slow pace, but it is better to choose clearer alternatives. Example: "She walked slightly slowly to enjoy the scenery."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr Zimmerman is more suited for occasions when the work is done and I need to walk slightly slowly and even with a minor drag step because this is one of those days when I can appreciate my job.

The Guardian - Books

"Since starting at music college my playing has progressed, but slightly slowly at first – the pressure is very different, and when I joined I found things rather tricky," she says.

Vice

Hook your feet over the threshold of the subway door and bend over slightly Slowly move into an upright position.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Lean back slightly and slowly raise your legs horizontally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I suspect that energy demand from developing countries will continue to grow – albeit slightly more slowly.

The Guardian - Opinion

The clocks were identical, too, though these new ones never moved -- thereby moving slightly more slowly than the originals.

The New York Times - Books

The biggest surprise here, astronomers said, is that the universe is expanding slightly more slowly than previous measurements had indicated.

The New York Times - Science

The most recent published data – from 2009 – shows the overall divorce rate declining, slightly more slowly than the shrinking percentage of Americans who get married every year.

The Guardian - Tech

"Essentially, time will pass slightly more slowly for Scott than for me because he will be travelling at a greater speed relative to me".

The Guardian

At about the midpoint of that century, another Frenchman, Armand Fizeau, actually showed that light moved slightly more slowly against the flow of water than with it.

The New York Times - Science

Sure, there is some tinkering with timelines for deficit reduction, but ultimately the eurozone is still going along the same policy path - just slightly more slowly".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically acceptable, consider more common and natural-sounding alternatives like "a bit slowly" or "somewhat slowly" for clearer and more effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using both "slightly" and "slowly" when one adverb can suffice. For instance, instead of "The process progressed slightly slowly", consider "The process progressed slowly" or "The process progressed slightly" to avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly slowly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI suggests that it's grammatically acceptable, though potentially awkward, indicating a need for clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly slowly" is used to describe actions or processes that occur with a degree of slowness, but only to a small degree. According to Ludwig AI, although grammatically acceptable, the phrasing is somewhat awkward and alternatives may read more smoothly. It is a rare expression, and it appears in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. When writing, consider using alternatives such as "a bit slowly" or "somewhat slowly" for improved clarity and flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit slowly

Replaces "slightly" with "a bit" for a more casual tone.

a little slowly

Similar to "a bit slowly" but can sound slightly more formal.

somewhat slowly

Substitutes "slightly" with "somewhat", indicating a moderate degree of slowness.

rather slowly

Uses "rather" instead of "slightly" to express a noticeable slowness.

relatively slowly

Emphasizes that the slowness is in comparison to something else.

moderately slowly

Indicates a medium level of slowness, replacing "slightly" with "moderately".

just a tad slowly

Adds emphasis to the slightness of the slowness.

minimally slowly

Highlights the small degree of slowness, replacing "slightly" with "minimally".

barely slowly

Implies that the slowness is almost imperceptible.

leisurely pace

Replaces both adverbs with a noun phrase that describes the manner of movement.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "slightly slowly" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, "slightly slowly" can sound awkward. A better alternative is to use phrases like "a bit slowly" or "somewhat slowly" to express a similar idea with more clarity.

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly slowly"?

Instead of "slightly slowly", consider alternatives like "a little slowly", "relatively slowly", or "moderately slowly" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "slightly slowly" or "a bit slowly"?

"A bit slowly" is generally preferred over "slightly slowly" because it sounds more natural and is more commonly used in everyday language. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "a bit slowly" is less awkward.

What's the difference between "slightly slowly" and "slightly more slowly"?

"Slightly slowly" indicates a general slowness, while "slightly more slowly" suggests a slower pace compared to something else. The latter is used for comparisons, while the former describes an action or process that is simply slow to a small degree.